ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 138, 7 March 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Beauty vies with fun and drama in the hilarious comedy-drama now playing at the Paramount Theatre, “Naughty Baby,' which features two of First Nationals most popular players. Alice White and Jack Mulhall. Miss White’s blonde beautv. tire and devil-may-care personality brought her from script girl to star In less than two years. Thelma Todd, loading lady in “Naughty Baby.” plays "vamp." She's a blonde also, a former Massachusetts school teacher who won three beautv contests simultaneously, and entered pictures. Another striking faminine beauty is Doris Dawson, who as a high school girl was one of the most popular artists’ models in New York. Frances Hamilton. Natalie Joyce, Rose Dione. Fanny Midgley, and over eighty beautiful extra girls appear in the supporting cast. “Dear Old Calford,” the latest of the popular "Collegians.” series, two gazettes and a comedy are also screened, while appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. "MOVIETONE” PRESENTATION. To-morrow, evening at 8 o'clock marks the first presentation of the much-heralded and widely discussed "talkies” and movietone programme at the Paramount Theatre. with Fox’s superb dramatic triumph, “The Street Augel,” together with a full movietone supporting programme, commencing its New Zealand premiere at the same time. For such an important event as the presentation of the first movietone programme in the Dominion, the Paramount management has made a happy selection iu the "Street Angel,” an example of ita ’ remarkable quality being shown in the faet that it commenced screening at the magnillccnt Prince Edward Theatre in Sydney a short time after Christmas, and la still being presented to record attendances. there being four sessions a day In a theatre of huge capacity. To-morrow’s “bill of fare," both from a. quality and quantity viewpoint is exceptionally satisfying. It opens with a Fox movietone newsreel—the same style of budget now being presented at the present time except that every item has the accompanying and authentic sound effect. One has only to recall the immense scope of the weekly topical to realise the remarkable effect achieved when the sound section is made of equal value to the visualised section. The next subject will be the world’s outstanding literary genius, Bernard Shaw, the brilliant personality of this noted personage being most apparent and well calculated to hold any attentive .audience spellbound. “Chic” Sale, a famous American stage and screen star, Is the leading figure’ in the next item, which is entitled "The Star Witness,” this production being one big laugh, and is a "talkie" from first to last. Constance Merrick and Muriel Pollock, the two famous “Rio Rita” girls, in the next subject, a two-piano specialty of great excellence, fascinate the audience with their brilliant rendition of the offering "Spring Fever.” The world-famous Roxy Theatre Orchestra, of 110 talented artists, provide a well-nigh marvellous music accompaniment to the big attraction, “The Street Angel.” The “piece de , resistance” of the entertainment is "The Street Angel,” a masterpiece of beauty, charmingly acted and perfectly directed by Frank Borzage, who also made that other memorable Gaynor Farrell picture, "Seventh Heaven.” The whole movietone programme is reproduced by the new and famous De. Forest installation, which is generally conceded to be one of the finest reproducing plants yet manufactured. Box plans are available at the Bristol and Utility (next theatre). With advance booking showing every Indication of making a record for the season, intending patrons are advised to secure early reservations. Prices are Is. fid.. 25., 2s. od.. 3s. 3d., and 4s. sd. (all including tax), this price increase. as will be noted, being on the smallest possible scale. Needless to say, the free list is suspended and that indefinitely. Patrons are requested to assist the management by being seated not later than 8 p.m.. as the entertainment is bv no means enhanced by the arrival of late-comers with the accompanying unavoidable disturbance. REGENT THEATRE.

Appearing in one of the best roles he has portrayed in many months. Rod La Rocque is starred in his latest De Mille studio production, “Stand and Deliver.” which is now screening at the Regent Theatre. This is a lively story of war and banditry in Greece and every scene has a thrill of its own. Mr. La Rocque is as usual highly artistic, while Lupe Velez, a young Mexican actress of remarkable dramatic force and magnetic personality, shares honours with the star. Warner Oland, in the featured role of a bandit chief, proves himself one of the super-villains of the screen. "Stand and Deliver,” which is admirably directed by Donald Crisp, a master crafts■man, is emnhattcally virile screen entertainment. Another big attraction is tlie appearance of Gautier’s "Bricklayers.” ■ The actors are twelve dogs, who go through their parts with amazing ability. A Gazette and comedy are also screened and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra. "EXCESS BAGGAGE.” Superstitions of the vaudeville stage come in for one of the most interesting episodes in William Haines’s starring picture. "Excess Baggage.” which comes on Friday to the Regent Theatre. According to research conducted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer before making the picture, no the-, atre dressing room shown is permitted to have drapes in it. Drapes in dressing rooms are considered very unlucky. It is also considered unfortunate to whistle in a dressing room. All trunks used by the ac'tors, who are supposedly theatrical artists, must be square—a “camel-back” trunk is unlucky. Director James Cruze rigidly enforced all these superstitions on his actors, Haines, Josephine, Dunn, and the rest, during the making of the production. A famous Californian club was the most nearly perfect replica of Australia to be discovered in America for the purpose of producing "The Bushranger,” also screening at the Regent on Friday next. After a search of several weeks to find natural scenery to duplicate that of Australia, the estate of the Uplifters’ Club, near Los Angelos. was chosen for the location. The Uplifters’ Club property Is planted with genuine gum trees. With a few changes—and the addition of “Wallaby,” the kangaroo used in the picture—a perfect replica of an Australian bush landscape was obtained under the direction of Reg. L. (“Snowy”) Baker, his brother Frank, and members of the technical party specially engaged by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for the purpose. Many Australasians appear in the suporting cast, including Marion Douglas (formerly known as Ena Gregory, of Manly, N.S.W.), Dale Austen ("Miss New Zealand. 1927”), and Frank Baker (brother of the famous Reg. L. ("Snowy”) Baker. The enormously successful season of Gautier’s Dog Bricklayers has been extended until Tuesday next. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Remember Canton, Ohio,” has become as much a clarion call of the American newspaper as "Remember the Maine” was the battle cry of America in 1898. In “Freedom of the Press,” the Universal photoplay now screening at the De Luxe Theatre,- the exciting days of Canton, Ohio, are presented in a fictitious parallel to the battle to tlie deatii between Editor Don Mellett and the underworld, Mellett being slain by orders of gangdom, but his newspaper going on and carrying out his successful battle to break up the local vice ring. Lewis Stone is the star of the picture and plays the role of the underworld leader, while Henry B. Walthall enacts the tragic role of tlie newspaper editor. Every newspaper drive is fraught with danger for the editor and the newspaper. Bombings of newspapers and slaving of editors are not so uncomniofi, when the underworld is aroused to battle for its existence. Marceline Day and Malcolm MacGregor also liavij featured roles. Good supports are also screened, and.the usual excellent musical programme' is supplied. “FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE FLAG LIEUTENANT.” . To be presented to-morrow night at the De Luxe Theatre is British Dominions Films’ brilliant sequel to “The Flag Lieutenant.” a production that experienced a most successful season in Wellington last year. Witli many pleasant recollections of tlie good entertainment contained in rim former film, picture-goers’ may expect tlie latest sea thriller, which is entitled. “Tlie Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant.” to prove equally diverting. A prominent British newspaper offers the following on the picture" China! Land of mystery, international intrigue, where nations endeavour by plot and counterplot to prove to the simple native that the other's rule fs corrupt. China! Where England sends her cleverest’ sailors to outwit—and. If necessary, out-fight—those who would besmirch the ‘Flag that braved n thousand years the battle and tlie breeze.’ China !To whence sailed tlie ‘Flag Lieutenant' to pit his wits against the power of an anarchist—to prove to the simple native that England was still Mistress of Sea and Land. And to China came the Admiral’s daughter to conquer the only pregnable defence of the Flag Lieutenant—his heart. Here is the most delightful romance ever told. Set in its background of mystery, intrigue, and revolt. it readies the peak of entertainment values. Henry Edwards and Isabel Jeans are again co-starred with a powerful cast of British players—and—it’s a British Dominions Film! .. .” Special music and stage presentation is to lie a feature of the “Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant.” The Do Luxe management announces that the excellent “New Greater Collegians” series will be a feature of future De Luxe entertainments, the first to he presented at the Do Luxe Theatre tomorrow being No. 8 of the series, entitled "Calford On Horseback." George Lewis IlD d Dorothy Gulliver head the brilliant all-star colleaiate cast. The excellence

of these subjects has resulted in their being secured for this popular house—an addition to the programme that should meet with general approval. Emanuel Aarons has complied an especially noteworthy . score for presentation to-morrow night, both the Orchestra De Luxe and the Wurlitzer unit to) play a prominent part therein. Box plajns are available at the Bristol and Aitken’s. KING’S THEATRE. "Quinneys’,” Horace Annesley Vachell’s famous story, In a British screen version, is now being screened at the King’s Theatre. It is an essentially British character study of a quaint but shrewd art dealer, whose fortunes are followed through twenty years, coloured by whimsical humour and pathos. “Lord Melchester,” one of the characters, says that experience teaches us there are only two kinds of people—those who care only for things, and those whose care is always for other people.” This is Mr. Vachell’s theme, now faithfully translated in moving picture terms. “Dear Old Calford,” the latest of the popular “Collegians” series, a gazette, ette, scenic, and comedy are also screened and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra. "SCARLET SEAS.” " Apia—Somewhere East of Suez. Apia—ghastly and ghostly. A city of shadows and weird blinking lights—of humming guitars and brown maidens with flowered, ebon hair. This is the intriguing atmosphere of the background against which First National Pictures has set one of the most colourful Richard Barthelmess features, “Scarlet Seas,” coming to the King’s Theatre to-morrow night. The village of Apia was especially built on the Isthmus at Catalina Island for “Scarlet Seas.” Many technicians assisted in obtaining the right effects, and the result is said to be a feature film of extraordinary picturesqueness and dramatic values. "Scarlet Seas” is the first Barthelmess sea- story since “Fury.” which the star made over six years ago. It offers him an unusual characterisation, and one that only Barthelmess can essay in the finest traditions of kinematograph acting. John Francis Dillon directed, with a cast of superlative quality, headed by Betty Compson, with Loretta Young in the featured engenue role. “Scarlet Seas” is a thrilling tale of the open sea, teeming with the vivid colour of the South Seas, trading in smuggled goods, rough-and-tumble fights, afid' many other spectacular sequences and thrills. No. 8 featurette of the “New Greater Collegians,” entitled “Calford on Horseback,” is a further attractive entertainment, with selected supporting programme in addition. STRAND THEATRE. Starring Phyllis Haver, supported by Tom Moore and Jacqueline Logan, “The Wise Wife,” a comedy-drama of married life, is the feature now being screened at the Strand Theatre. The story concerns the busband of a quiet-loving wife, and the flapper friend of the wife. The husband and the flapper, who is a flirt of the first water, fall in love with each other. The wife finds this out and hits on a novel plan to bring her husband back to the straight and narrow way. After a series of amusing complications all ends well, Two hilarious comedies and a Gazette are also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. “HEART OF A FOLLIES’ GIRL.” Commencing at the Strand Theatre tomorrow a big double feature programme will bo screened. Billie Dove is the star of “The Heart of a Follies’ Girl,” which will be the first feature., In "For Alimony Only” Leatrlce Joy is starred, with Lilyan Tashmau and Clive Brook in support. “MR. PIM PASSES BY.” Mr. Dion Boucicault and Miss Irene Vanbrugh, to whom nine years ago in London fell the distinction of giving the first performance of A. A. Milne’s great English comedy, “Mr. Pirn Passes By,” will appear in that play at the Grand Opera House to-night under J. C. Williamson, Limited, management. These two great English artists have made the principal characters of the play, Mh Pim and Olivia, respectively, peculiarly their own. As this present season is the very last occasion on which these distinguished English artists will ever be seen in Wellington (they are at present on their farewell\ tour of the Dominion), theatre-goers should not miss this opportunity of forming their last, and lasting, impression of them. As Mr. Pim, it is said, Dion Boucicault lives his part, so that the audience are not conscious of the actor but are filled with the character. Old, with snow-white hair, carrying a huge umbrella in one hand and a panama in the other, trailing a red handkerchief from a coat-tail pocket, eccentric, garrulous yet shy and full of deference, absent-minded in the extreme, yet well meaning, Mr. Pim is all unmindful of the consternation he causes in a family on which he calls as he passes by. Loss of memory leads him to apply wrong names, and to leave sentences incomplete, sowing the seeds of fear and suspicion in the mind of a recently married widow who is led to the belief by Mr. Pim (all unconsciously that he is the cause) that her former husband is not dead. The creation of such a situation gives Miss Irene Vanbrugh as Olivia the opportunity of showing to the full that she is not less great as an actress in her part than Dion Boucicault is a great actor in his. When one makes allowances for the pathetic old figure of Mr. Pim passing by it is impossible not to fall into roars of laughter at tlie disturbance he unwittingly makes. It would be difficult to name a finer comedy, dean and wholesome, and certainly it would be impossible to find an actor better suited than Dion Boucicault to do justice to one of the most whimsical and most original characters at present on the stage. Others in the cast are Mr. J. B. Rowe. Miss Rowena Ronald and Sir. Ronald Ward, Miss Eileen Morris and Miss Annie Saker. Box plan is open at the Bristol. “THE VAGABOND KING." The reports from Sydney to the effect that “The Vagabond King,” the stupendous spectacular musical play to be staged here by the .7. C. Williamson Ltd. management nt the Opera House, commencing on Tuesday next, surpasses any comic opera previously staged in Australia, including "Rose Marie” and "The Maid of the Mountains.” will doubtless infuse great interest in this production and there is likely to be a large demand for seats when the box plans are opened for its brief season to-morrow, Friday morning, at the Bristol. "Surely," wrote a Sydney critic, “there never was a richer riot of colour than ‘The Vagabond King, “never a show of more tumultuous movement, never more Inspiring music in a story so romantic, so full of thrills and adventurous doings. Playgoers will be glad to welcome Mr. James Liddy. who, it is said, is at his very best in the role of Francois Villon (tlie Vagabond King). The part gives this brilliant artist opportunities to shine both as a singer and an actor. Those two sterling comedians, Mr. Arthur Stlgant and Mr. Cecil Kelleway, have splendid and most congenial characters to portray, and they arc said to. lie very amusing the whole time they are on the stage. Miss Strella Wilson was specially engaged for flic role of Katherine, her singing being an outstanding feature of tlie production. There are over (>0 cliolristers. and there Is also a full operatic orchestra. “Tlie Vagabond King” lias not yet been staged in Melbourne, but it is duo to open there on Easter Saturday, so the Now Zealand tour must necessarily be a brief one. and. therefore, only 'a limited number of performances can be imaged here. Tlie box plans will be opened to-morrow morning QUEEN’S THEATRE. ‘The Ring,” a British oroduction star-

ring Carl Brisson and Lillian Hall-Davis, is the eurreut feature at the Queen’s Theatre. “Oue-round" Jac-k Sander Is in hue with the daughter of Ills employer, Bob Corby challenges Sander in the hope that lie may disillusion the girl regarding her lover's capabilities as a luixer. Corin’ makes ardent love to her and persuades her to meet him. To suit her convenience, the girl marries Sander, but continues her flirtation with Corby. The big championship fight draws near and while Sander is out to win. he is disheartened by the attitude of his wife towards his biggest, fight. Round five of the fight has been concluded, and Sander is losing badly on points, until he discovers his wife at tlie ring-side urging him on to -greater efforts. The sixth round starts and Sander enters the ring a different man. and before Corby can prepare himself for Sander’s terrific onslaught, he is downed, a’nd Sander is heavy-weight champion of England. Good supports are also screened, and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Mike Connors and Queenie Paul’s League of Notions Revue Company pre now in their sixteenth week at His Majesty’s Theatre, where their current presentation is a bright and breezy one. “Lily of Laguna.” “Old Man Sunshine.” and “Forty-seven Ginger-head-ed Sailors" are the duets presented by that popular pair. Queenie Paul and. Mike Connors. Svd. Beck Is as usual well to tlie fore and' scores heavily in the amusing sketches. "Small Gifts.” “After Hours." “Twentieth Century Child.” “There’s ’ One Born Every Minute.” "The Innocent Wife." and “Keep to the Right.” Bright music is Supplied by the Jazz Band, and the remainder of the company give good support to thair principals,